Safety in schools remains a top priority issue in the U.S., and the process of developing updated building codes and standards to better fortify facilities against shooter attacks is ongoing. Architects and glass fabricators should be aware that a number of codes and standards and initiatives related to designing with glass are underway with the goal of providing added guidance and safety, and there are multiple design strategies and safety glass products that architects and fabricators can suggest today in order to make educational facilities safer.

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For over four thousand years, the lustrous, hard, and inert characteristics of glass have made it one of the world’s most desirable and frequently used building materials. Glass is used in many of our everyday activities and is included in a multitude of products all around us, such as windows, doors, partitions, furniture, cookware, automotive windows and sunroofs, and food and beverage containers.

Additionally, glass can be cleaned easily with non-abrasive (and often antibacterial) cleaners, which is another reason why glass has helped us through many unfortunate public health events like epidemics and pandemics.

One of the most important glass performance measures is U-value—also known as U-factor—which measures the insulating characteristics of the glass, or how much heat flow or heat loss occurs through the glass due to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

Glass is vital to the aesthetic of nearly every modern structure—increasing natural light, curbing sound, protecting against inclement weather and offering a view to the external world. While glass has always been favored for its aesthetic versatility, it has quietly and reliably evolved into a critical component that can add beauty, structural integrity and fire protection to rooms and buildings, as well.

Clear glass is extremely common and is popular in a variety of architectural design applications. However, when specifying glass to achieve a truly transparent aesthetic, design professionals know that clear glass isn’t completely clear—it has a distinct green hue when viewed under light.

Well-daylit interiors boast a range of benefits, such as occupant mood and productivity, a sense of connectivity between spaces, decreased use of artificial light and energy bills, stunning views to the outdoors and dazzling color transmission.

In recent years, glass fabricators have made significant advances in their technologies, creating a range of decorative glass applications that are increasingly specified by architects who seek distinctive, colorful or visually interesting designs.